Knee Pillow

ABSTRACT

A knee pillow includes a compressible cushion including a rectangular prism shape, the cushion including a first side and a second side. The knee pillow includes a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction and a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The knee pillow includes a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/331,205, filed on Apr. 14, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/410,222, filed on Sep. 27, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a pillow. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a knee pillow. Embodiments of the invention relate to a knee pillow that may be configured to be placed between the knees of a user when they sleep on their side.

BACKGROUND

Proper sleep is important for individuals. Proper positioning during sleep may not only maintain but may improve one's physical well-being. In addition, proper positioning may help one to avoid over-stressing their body and/or injuring themselves including but limited to specific joints or muscles or spine during sleep. Side sleeper can have misalignments between their legs and back. One way such people have somewhat helped such situations is to sleep with a pillow between their legs. Unfortunately, such generic pillows have drawbacks that have not been solved yet by the present state of the art. Embodiments described herein allow for a knee pillow to be used to reach better and more restful sleep. Embodiments herein allow for consistent alignment of legs and back and also allow a user to wake up refreshed and rested without or with minimal soreness and stiffness.

The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and disadvantages associated with conventional pillows that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide embodiments of a system, apparatus, and method that overcome at least some of the shortcomings of prior art techniques.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a knee pillow. The knee pillow includes a compressible cushion including a rectangular prism shape, the cushion including a first side and a second side. The knee pillow includes a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction and a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The knee pillow includes a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.

The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction and the third direction is orthogonal to the fourth direction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above.

The first depression is a concave depression. The second depression is a concave depression. The third depression is a concave depression. The fourth depression is a concave depression. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-2, above.

The first depression extends an entire length of the first side. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-3, above.

The second depression extends an entire width of the first side. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-4, above.

The first depression and the second depression intersect. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-5, above.

The third depression extends an entire length of the second side. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-6, above.

The fourth depression extends an entire width of the second side. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-7, above.

The third depression and the fourth depression intersect. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-8, above.

The first depression is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-9, above.

The second depression is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, wherein example 11 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-10, above.

The second depression is deeper than the first depression. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-11, above.

The first depression is deeper than the second depression. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-12, above.

The third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors the first depression on the first side of the cushion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-13, above.

Disclosed herein is a knee pillow. The knee pillow includes a compressible cushion comprising a rectangular prism shape, the cushion comprising a first side and a second side. The knee pillow includes a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction and a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The knee pillow includes a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure.

The first depression and the second depression bisect each other. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to example 15, above.

The third depression and the fourth depression bisect each other. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-16, above.

The second depression is deeper than the first depression. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-17, above.

The first depression is deeper than the first depression. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-18, above.

The third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors the first depression on the first side of the cushion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-19, above.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom perspective view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

Throughout this application, similar designations or vocabulary may be used to identify similar elements, although the breadth of this disclosure should be understood to incorporate any alternatives and variations referenced within the specification (including the claims) and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Proper sleep is important for individuals. Proper positioning during sleep may not only maintain but may improve one's physical well-being. In addition, proper positioning may help one to avoid over-stressing their body and/or injuring themselves including but limited to specific joints or muscles or spine during sleep. Side sleeper can have misalignments between their legs and back. One way such people have somewhat helped such situations is to sleep with a pillow between their legs. Unfortunately, such generic pillows have drawbacks that have not been solved yet by the present state of the art. Embodiments described herein allow for a knee pillow to be used to reach better and more restful sleep. Embodiments herein allow for consistent alignment of legs and back and also allow a user to wake up refreshed and rested without or with minimal soreness and stiffness.

While many embodiments are described herein, at least some of the described embodiments describe a knee pillow. In an illustrative embodiment, the knee pillow includes a compressible cushion including a first side and a second side. The knee pillow also includes a first depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending in a first direction. The knee pillow also includes a second depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending in a second direction. The knee pillow also includes a third depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending in the third direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending in the fourth direction, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

In some embodiments, the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction and the third direction is orthogonal to the fourth direction.

In some embodiments, the first depression is a concave depression. In some embodiments, the second depression is a concave depression. In some embodiments, the third depression is a concave depression. In some embodiments, the fourth depression is a concave depression.

In some embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth depressions are all concave depressions. Other shapes and sizes are contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the first depression extends an entire length of the first side. In some embodiments, the second depression extends an entire width of the first side. In some embodiments, the first depression and the second depression intersect.

In some embodiments, the third depression extends an entire length of the second side. In some embodiments, the fourth depression extends an entire width of the second side. In some embodiments, the third depression and the fourth depression intersect.

In some embodiments, the first depression is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion. In some embodiments, the second depression is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion.

In some embodiments, the second depression is deeper than the first depression. In some embodiments, the first depression is deeper than the first depression.

In some embodiments, the third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors the first depression on the first side of the cushion.

In another illustrative embodiment, the knee pillow includes a compressible cushion including a rectangular prism shape, the cushion including a first side and a second side. The knee pillow also includes a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction. The knee pillow also includes a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction.

In some embodiments, the first depression and the second depression bisect each other.

In some embodiments, the third depression and the fourth depression bisect each other.

In some embodiments, the second depression is deeper than the first depression. In some embodiments, the first depression is deeper than the first depression.

In some embodiments, the third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors a size and shape of the first depression on the first side of the cushion.

In another illustrative embodiment, the knee pillow includes a first lengthwise concave depression on a first side of the knee pillow running from a first end to a second end. The knee pillow further includes a second lengthwise concave depression on a second side of the knee pillow running from the first end to the second end, the second side opposite to the first side. The knee pillow further includes a first crosswise concave depression on the first side intersecting with the first lengthwise concave depression. The knee pillow further includes a second crosswise concave depression on the second side intersecting with the second lengthwise concave depression.

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a knee pillow 100, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Although the knee pillow 100 is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the folding pillow 100 may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality.

The knee pillow 100 includes a broadly rectangular shape which can be seen in the Figure. In some embodiments, the knee pillow is substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism with two sets of depressions on each side of the knee pillow. Each set of depressions includes two intersecting depressions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the knee pillow 100 includes a substantially flat front face 102. The illustrated embodiment also includes substantially flat side faces. The illustrated embodiment also includes a substantially flat rear face. The illustrated embodiment also includes four substantially flat corners 104 on the top face of the knee pillow as well as four substantially flat corners on the bottom face of the knee pillow (not visible).

In the illustrated embodiment, the knee pillow 100 is symmetrical about each axis. That is, if one bisected the knee pillow at an axis on the front face 102, the knee pillow would be symmetrical on both sides of the axis. This would be the case whether the bisection was vertical or horizontal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the knee pillow 100 is also symmetrical with reference to the top face of the knee pillow. That is, if one bisected the knee pillow at an axis on the top face, the knee pillow would be symmetrical on both sides of the axis. This would be the case whether the bisection was from side to side or from front to back.

While the knee pillow 100 is in the general shape of a rectangular prism, as can be seen, there are two visible concave depressions on the top face of the knee pillow. One of the depressions is described as a crosswise concave depression 110. The crosswise concave depression is just a concave void that extends from the front face 102 to the rear face of the knee pillow. The depression maintains a consistent depth from front to back such that the pillow is thinner there as compared to the substantially flat corners 104.

The knee pillow 100 also includes what is described as a lengthwise concave depression 120. The lengthwise concave depression is just a concave void that extends from side to side of the knee pillow. The depression maintains a consistent depth from side to side such that the pillow is thinner in the center compared to the substantially flat corners 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crosswise concave depression is slightly deeper than the lengthwise concave depression. In some embodiments, the opposite may be the case with the crosswise concave depression slightly shallower than the lengthwise concave depression. In other embodiments, the two depressions are the same depth (see FIG. 2 as an example).

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the depressions is centered on the top face of the knee pillow. This may be varied in some embodiments such that the depressions are not centered and thus do not bisect each other.

Although described and shown as a concave depression, the depression may take other shapes in some embodiments. As an example, the depression may be a triangular shape. In another example, the depression may be rectangular. In another example, the depression may be a trapezoidal shape.

The knee pillow 100 may be a foam or other compressible material that is typically used for pillows or mattresses. Embodiments described herein may be made of any material that can deform and compress but holds shape when not in use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom face of the knee pillow includes two depressions that mirror the depressions on the top face in both shape and size. With these depressions on each side of the pillow, the knee pillow can be placed between the legs of a user such that each leg of the user fits comfortably in one of the depressions. Various examples follow herein.

In a first example, a user has the knee pillow such that the legs run along the length of lengthwise concave depression 120 (one leg for each side of the pillow). The depressions allow for easy placement of the legs on the pillow.

In a second example, a user has the knee pillow such that the legs run along the length of crosswise concave depression 110 (one leg for each side of the pillow). The depressions allow for easy placement of the legs on the pillow but with the pillow shorter such that pillow doesn't extend too far up or down the leg of the user.

In a third example, a user has their thigh in the lengthwise concave depression 120 but their knee is bent at ninety degrees such that their lower leg (calf) extends out the crosswise concave depression 110. Both legs may be bent. Other permutations of use are envisioned with one leg bent and one leg straight. The shape of the knee pillow allows for versatility in the use thereof.

FIG. 2 includes a second embodiment of a knee pillow 100. The knee pillow 100 includes many of the same features as was shown and discussed with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and its variations. In this embodiment both depressions have the same depth. As can be seen, the two depressions meet up at ridges 130 that cross at a center of the knee pillow 100. When viewed from the front or the side, the concave shape of the depression is seen clearly. The depressions extend the entire length of the knee pillow or the entire width of the knee pillow.

FIG. 2 depicts a top perspective view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As can be seen, the crosswise concave depression includes a generally similar shape and size at each end. The shape of the crosswise concave depression is affected though by a somewhat similar lengthwise concave depression that runs the length of the knee pillow 100. The lengthwise concave depression runs generally along the longer axis from one side of the knee pillow 100 to the other side of the knee pillow 100 while the crosswise concave depression runs generally along the shorter axis of the knee pillow 100 from the front face 102 to the back face. Similar depressions are on the bottom face of the knee pillow 100.

The crosswise concave depression 110 and the lengthwise concave depression 120 intersect generally at a center of the knee pillow creating ridges 130 between the surfaces of the two depressions. The ridges form generally an X-shape when viewed from above.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the knee pillow 100 and FIG. 4 shows a side view of the knee pillow 100. The generally rectangular shape includes a crosswise concave depression that runs across the knee pillow 100. The crosswise concave depression is generally centered on the knee pillow 100. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a crosswise concave depression on each opposing side of the knee pillow 100, that is the top and bottom faces. These sides are referred to as the top and bottom of the knee pillow 100. As can be seen, these depressions are centered between the substantially flat corners 104 which are located on each side of the depressions.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a knee pillow where the longer axis of the knee pillow is visible. As can be seen in FIG. 3 , the crosswise concave depression 110 is mirrored on the top and bottom sides of the knee pillow 100 and showing a consistent depth along the width of the knee pillow.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As can be seen, the lengthwise concave depression 120 is mirrored on the top and bottom sides of the knee pillow 100. As can be seen, these depressions are centered between the substantially flat corners 104 which are located on each side of the depressions. The side face 106 is visible in the Figure.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom perspective view of a knee pillow, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The crosswise concave depression and the lengthwise concave depression have a generally similar shape and size. The depressions are sized to generally fit a human leg within the depressions in various configurations. In many scenarios, the knee of the human leg will generally be located near the center of the knee pillow near the intersection of the concave depression and the lengthwise concave depression.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear face 108 of the knee pillow is shown. The knee pillow has many of the same features as described before except that the lengthwise depression has two different depths on each side of the crosswise concave depression. The depression 120A is deeper than the depression 120B. This is another variation that may be employed where a user has thicker thighs than calf and may want more cushion between the calves.

In an illustrative embodiment, the knee pillow 100 includes a compressible cushion including a first side (visible in FIG. 5 ) and a second side (not visible in FIG. 5 ). The knee pillow 100 also includes a first depression 110 on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression 100 extending in a first direction (direction indicated by arrow 160 in FIG. 5 ). This first direction could be from front to back on the knee pillow 100. The knee pillow 100 also includes a second depression 120A and 120B on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression 120A and 120B extending in a second direction (direction indicated by arrow 170 in FIG. 5 ). The knee pillow 100 also includes a third depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending in the third direction. In this case, the third direction is the same as the first direction. But, in some embodiments, the third direction may be angled. In such an embodiment, the angled depression would allow a user to not have their knee bent at a ninety degree angle but at less of an angle for comfort. The knee pillow 100 also includes a fourth depression (not visible) on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending in the fourth direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the second direction and the fourth direction are the same.

In some embodiments, the first direction 160 is orthogonal to the second direction 170. In some embodiments, the third direction is orthogonal to the fourth direction.

In some embodiments, the first depression 110 is a concave depression. In some embodiments, the second depression 120A and 120B is a concave depression. In some embodiments, the third depression is a concave depression. In some embodiments, the fourth depression is a concave depression.

In some embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth depressions are all concave depressions. Other shapes and sizes are contemplated herein as was discussed previously.

In some embodiments, the first depression 110 extends an entire width of the first side. In some embodiments, the second depression 120 extends an entire length of the first side. In some embodiments, the first depression 110 and the second depression 120 intersect. In the illustrated embodiment, the first depression 110 and the second depression 120 bisect each other.

In some embodiments, the third depression extends an entire width of the second side. In some embodiments, the fourth depression extends an entire length of the second side. In some embodiments, the third depression and the fourth depression intersect.

In some embodiments, the first depression 110 is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion. In some embodiments, the second depression 120 is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion.

In some embodiments, the second depression 120 is deeper than the first depression 110. In some embodiments, the first depression 110 is deeper than the second depression 120.

In some embodiments, the third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors the first depression on the first side of the cushion.

In another illustrative embodiment, the knee pillow includes a compressible cushion including a rectangular prism shape, the cushion including a first side and a second side. The knee pillow also includes a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction. The knee pillow also includes a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction.

In some embodiments, the first depression and the second depression bisect each other.

In some embodiments, the third depression and the fourth depression bisect each other.

In some embodiments, the second depression is deeper than the first depression. In some embodiments, the first depression is deeper than the first depression.

In some embodiments, the third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors a size and shape of the first depression on the first side of the cushion.

In another illustrative embodiment, the knee pillow includes a first lengthwise concave depression on a first side of the knee pillow running from a first end to a second end. The knee pillow further includes a second lengthwise concave depression on a second side of the knee pillow running from the first end to the second end, the second side opposite to the first side. The knee pillow further includes a first crosswise concave depression on the first side intersecting with the first lengthwise concave depression. The knee pillow further includes a second crosswise concave depression on the second side intersecting with the second lengthwise concave depression.

A user can utilize the knee pillow 100 in many different ways. Various examples will be shared herein. The various uses and configurations though are not an exhaustive list but illustrative of many ways the knee pillow 100 may be used.

In a first example, a user laying in a side sleeping position would have the pillow between the legs. The knee pillow 100 would be situation lengthwise running between the inner thighs, the inner knees, and the inner calves of the user. The user's legs are extended straight out without any bend in the knees. The location of the knees will be generally in the center of the knee pillow with each inner thigh resting in the opposing lengthwise concave depressions. Additionally, the user's lower legs below the knees will also be resting in the opposing lengthwise concave depressions. The knee pillow 100 will fit snugly and firmly as the user's legs will restrict movement of the knee pillow 100 while giving the knees a cushion between them for comfort to help with hip and back alignment during sleeping.

In a second example, a user laying in a side sleeping position would have the pillow between the legs. The knee pillow 100 would be situation lengthwise running between the inner thighs and the inner knees. The user's legs, however, are not extended straight out but bent at the knees. The location of the knees will be generally in the center of the knee pillow with each inner thigh resting in the opposing lengthwise concave depressions and the user's calves located in the crosswise concave depressions. The knee pillow 100 will fit snugly and firmly as the user's legs will restrict movement of the knee pillow 100 while giving the knees a cushion between them for comfort to help with hip and back alignment during sleeping.

In a third example, a user laying in a side sleeping position would have the pillow between the legs. The knee pillow 100 would be situation lengthwise running between the inner thighs and the inner knees. The user's legs, in this configuration, would have one leg extended straight with the other leg bent at the knees. The location of the knees will be generally in the center of the knee pillow with each inner thigh resting in the opposing lengthwise concave depressions and one of the user's calves located in the crosswise concave depression and the other calf located in the lengthwise concave depression. It may be the upper knee that is bent or the lower knee that is bent. The knee pillow 100 will fit snugly and firmly as the user's legs will restrict movement of the knee pillow 100 while giving the knees a cushion between them for comfort to help with hip and back alignment during sleeping.

The embodiments shown and described herein are one solid foam piece but some embodiments may include more than one piece coupled together to form a generally similar shape and to perform generally similar functions to those described herein. Various advantages are described herein but such advantages may be present in less than all embodiments.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the subject matter of the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

In the above description, specific details of various embodiments are provided. However, some embodiments may be practiced with less than all of these specific details. In other instances, certain methods, procedures, components, structures, and/or functions are described in no more detail than to enable the various embodiments of the invention, for the sake of brevity and clarity.

Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.

In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A knee pillow comprising: a compressible cushion comprising a first side and a second side; a first depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending in a first direction; a second depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending in a second direction; a third depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending in the third direction; a fourth depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending in the fourth direction, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.
 2. The knee pillow of claim 1, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction and wherein the third direction is orthogonal to the fourth direction.
 3. The knee pillow of claim 2, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth depressions are concave depressions.
 4. The knee pillow of claim 3, wherein the first depression extends an entire length of the first side.
 5. The knee pillow of claim 4, wherein the second depression extends an entire width of the first side.
 6. The knee pillow of claim 5, wherein the first depression and the second depression intersect.
 7. The knee pillow of claim 6, wherein the third depression extends an entire length of the second side.
 8. The knee pillow of claim 7, wherein the fourth depression extends an entire width of the second side.
 9. The knee pillow of claim 8, wherein the third depression and the fourth depression intersect.
 10. The knee pillow of claim 9, wherein the first depression is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion.
 11. The knee pillow of claim 10, wherein the second depression is centered on the first side of the compressible cushion.
 12. The knee pillow of claim 1, wherein the second depression is deeper than the first depression.
 13. The knee pillow of claim 1 wherein the first depression is deeper than the second depression.
 14. The knee pillow of claim 1, wherein the third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors the first depression on the first side of the cushion.
 15. A knee pillow, comprising: a compressible cushion comprising a rectangular prism shape, the cushion comprising a first side and a second side; a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction; a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction; a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction.
 16. The knee pillow of claim 15, wherein the first depression and the second depression bisect each other.
 17. The knee pillow of claim 16, wherein the third depression and the fourth depression bisect each other.
 18. The knee pillow of claim 15, wherein the second depression is deeper than the first depression.
 19. The knee pillow of claim 15, wherein the first depression is deeper than the first depression.
 20. The knee pillow of claim 15, wherein the third depression on the second side of the cushion mirrors the first depression on the first side of the cushion. 